With the new year starting off just as dry as the old one that ended, California wildlife officials warned on Wednesday that people should be prepared for more frequent encounters with thirsty animals.

Hughan predicted wildlife sightings would likely increase within the next month, unless more rain and snow begin to fall.

At her home in rural Nevada County, Char Bachwansky said she has been losing about a chicken a day to hawks that swoop in and snatch them from her backyard coop.

"If it was a rainy day, they'd be up there," said Bachwanksy as she pointed to a dry hillside. "The mice would be reproducing and the rats would be reproducing. And it's a lot easier for them to hunt one of those."

Bachwansky, who works as an animal rehabilitator for Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Auburn, said animal encounters have already increased in southern California and are likely to increase statewide.

"We've had more raccoons in the area lately, because they're coming down too," Backwansky said. "They're eating ducks and a few things and going for the water that's in the pond."

Wildlife officials said thirsty bears and mountain lions pose the greatest risk to people, but even deer can become dangerous if they are thirsty enough.

Hughan warned people not to set water out for wild animals, no matter how thirsty they might seem. He said a squirrel drinking from a backyard could eventually be replaced by a larger animal, such as a mountain lion or bear.